State Representative Ken Fleming

03/30/2026

The General Assembly 2026 session is nearing its end and there has been good progress in passing legislation; however over the remaining last four days we will be nailing down significant legislation that includes the two-year budgets for all three branches of government, the road budgets (two-year and six-year budgets), housing bill, Medicaid Reform Act, and education legislation.

A significant step toward education is the passage of House Bill 1 which the General Assembly overrode the Governor’s veto. Under this bill, Kentucky will opt-in into a federal program that will provide a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit (up to $1700) to those who contribute to eligible Scholarship Granting Organizations. These scholarships could be available to low-and middle income families for educational resources in public, private and home school settings at absolutely no cost to the Commonwealth.

03/23/2026

I-264/U.S. 42 Improvement Project Traffic Advisory: Overnight Lane and Ramp Closures on I-264 East and West Beginning Tuesday, March 24

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 23, 2026) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises motorists of overnight lane and ramp closures on Interstate 264 East and West (Watterson Expressway) beginning Tuesday, March 24, as part of the $130 million widening and improvement project of I-264 and U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road).

Beginning Tuesday, March 24, at 8 p.m., through Wednesday, March 25, at 6 a.m.:

Alternating lane closures will occur on I-264 East and West between mile markers 23 and 22 (from the I-264/I-71 split to U.S. 42/Brownsboro Road).
Beginning Wednesday, March 25, at 8 p.m., through Thursday, March 26, at 6 a.m.:

The I-264 East ramp to I-71 South will be closed. Motorists should continue on I-264 East, take I-71 North, then follow I-265 North to reconnect with I-71 South.
Alternating lane closures will occur on I-264 East between mile markers 23 and 22 (from the I-264/I-71 split to U.S. 42/Brownsboro Road).
Motorists should heed signage, use caution when traveling through the work zone, and plan ahead for travel delays.

The highway improvement project is expected to be completed by the Fall of 2027. More details, including project timelines and traffic impacts, will be shared online as work progresses. Motorists are encouraged to sign up for email or text alerts regarding weekly traffic impacts pertaining to the project.

03/16/2026

Tune in to Kentucky Tonight on KET at 8pm tonight for a discussion on HB2 reforming the state’s Medicaid program.

03/10/2026

*Edited

As work continues to advance on the $130 million widening and improvement project of Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) and U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) in Louisville, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises motorists of upcoming weekend ramp closures for bridge demolition work.

To safely carry out the demolition of the I-71 South ramp bridge over the Watterson Expressway interchange ramps, the following traffic restrictions will be in place beginning Friday, March 13, at 8 p.m., continuing through Monday, March 16, at 5 a.m.:

🚧The I-264 East ramp to I-71 South will be closed (Exit 23B) – motorists should take I-71 North to I-265 North to reach I-71 South.
🚧The I-71 South ramp to I-264 West will be closed (Exit 5) – motorists should continue on I-71 South to Zorn Avenue at Exit 2 to I-71 North to reach I-264 West.
🚧I-71 North will be closed at mile point 4.9 – motorists will be able to continue to I-264 West at Exit 5 and should detour to either U.S. 42 (Brownsboro Road) at Exit 22 or KY 1447 (Westport Road) at Exit 21 to connect with I-264 East to proceed on to I-71 North.

The I-71 North ramp to I-264 West will remain open at Exit 5. The I-264 East ramp to I-71 North will also remain open (Exit 23A).

*Edited to add:*
This weekend, contract crews will demolish one half of the top ramp bridge carrying I-264 East to I-71 South (shown on the attached graphic) to accommodate the widening of I-264 as part of the I-264/U.S. 42 Widening and Improvement Project: https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictFive/Pages/I-264-and-U.S.-42-Improvement-Project-(Construction-Phase).aspx

The bridge is currently reduced to a single lane, and after this weekend’s closure, it will continue operating in that same configuration.

Once the ramp closures are complete, crews will begin constructing one half of the replacement bridge. After that portion is finished, traffic will be shifted onto the new structure so crews can demolish and rebuild the remaining half.

02/27/2026

HB2 passed today out of the House. It’s been a lot of work to tackle how Kentucky can live within its’ means with the changes in Medicaid coming from the federal government while taking care of our citizens’ needs-

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A major Medicaid overhaul bill has cleared its first legislative hurdle in Frankfort, as members of the House Appropriations committee approved House Bill 2 by a 14-to-4 vote. The bill, sponsored by Ken Fleming, aims to transform Kentucky’s Medicaid program by strengthening over...

02/26/2026

After working on getting rid of RFG (Reformulated Gas) in Jefferson and Oldham County for several years, we finally achieved our goal. This means savings at the gas pump so you can use those savings at your discretion.

02/26/2026

Linda Blackford: Why leave federal money on the table that could go to public schools?

02/23/2026

Every other year the General Assembly must pass a two year budget, and this past week marked the halfway point of the 2026 Session. The proposed budget (HB 500) was introduced several weeks ago as a starting point and to ensure we get as much input as possible it will go through a vigorous process in both chambers.

There are many projects and programs that are under consideration, but our focus is on education, Medicaid, and economic development. As a member of the Appropriations and Revenue Committee I have been part of lengthy conversations well into the evenings. Over the next week or so, I anticipate the House will pass a fiscally responsible budget.

In addition to working on the budget, I am the Chair of the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board. I was asked to tackle our escalating Medicaid expenditures which have grown from $10B to $24B in just five years; this represents a 216% increase to taxpayers. This growth is frankly unsustainable and caused by the administration’s lack of oversight, weak control measures, liberalization to eligibility, lack of accountability, managing MCOs resulting in poor health outcomes, and the expansion of programs.

As the sponsor of HB 2, we will transform Medicaid by being transparent, increasing accountability and responsibility on all levels including government and individuals, and providing the seeds for stability, effectiveness, and efficiencies in governing Kentucky’s Medicaid program. HB2 balances due process with stronger oversight, protects taxpayer dollars, and increases transparency and accountability in the Medicaid Program.
I have also introduced HB 168 “Keegan’s Law” that strengthens boating under the influence; and gotten HB 169 passed requiring insurance companies to cover eating disorders as a mental health condition and not just addressing body mass index.

I have stated in the past that the Jefferson County Public School Board is failing our children and in working with my colleagues, I will be introducing a bill that changes the Board structure by focusing on financial competency, governance structure, and accountability.

Finally, I am working with many not-for-profit organizations such as The Healing Place, Bellewood and Brooklawn, Volunteers of America and the Kentucky Derby Festival in securing funding, as well as securing funds for transportation projects in District 48.
It is a pleasure and honor to serve you, which I do not take lightly.

You can also contact me via email at
[email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

02/04/2026

https://kentuckylantern.com/briefs/kentucky-house-advances-eating-disorder-treatment-reform-bill/

About 9% of Americans live with eating disorders, which can lead to a “preoccupation” with food intake, weight, calories and more.

01/23/2026

01/06/2026

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Promises Kept: Lowering the income tax means rewarding work, attracting investment, increasing competitiveness

On January 1, Kentucky took another meaningful step toward a more competitive, more prosperous future, and working Kentuckians can see the results in their next paycheck. Our individual income tax rate officially dropped to 3.5%, continuing the legislature’s long‑term commitment to phasing out the tax entirely. For a $50,000 salary, we have helped put an additional $1,250 in your pocket since we started reducing the personal income tax rate.

Our goal is simple: eliminate the individual income tax entirely. Not overnight, not recklessly, but responsibly through measured reductions tied to clear fiscal benchmarks. This approach ensures that we protect essential services while still moving Kentucky toward a tax structure that rewards work, attracts investment, and makes our state competitive with our neighbors.

This year’s reduction builds on the work we began by setting a framework for responsible, data‑driven rate cuts tied to revenue triggers and economic performance. Economists estimate that the most recent reduction will leave approximately $718 million in the pockets of Kentucky taxpayers in the first full fiscal year of implementation.

We have already seen the benefits. Businesses are taking notice. Families are choosing to stay. Entrepreneurs are choosing to build here rather than elsewhere. Every step we take toward eliminating the income tax sends a message that Kentucky is open for growth, open for innovation, and open for opportunity.

Meaningful work - real reform that reshapes a state’s economic future - never happens by accident. It takes persistence, discipline, and, at times, the willingness of the legislature to stand firm when the governor tries to slam on the brakes. Here in Kentucky, lawmakers had to override the governor’s veto to pass HB 1 in 2022. And yet, despite his attempt to block it, he now seems more than willing to bask in the glow of its success. It is a reminder that progress often requires the legislature to lead boldly and to stay the course even when others try to claim the credit after the fact.

As we convene this year’s legislative session, I am optimistic about where we are headed. We are demonstrating that fiscal responsibility and improving our quality of life are not mutually exclusive - they are mutually reinforcing. By continuing to lower the income tax and finding ways to ensure state government works for the people and not the other way around, we are building a stronger foundation for future generations and ensuring that Kentucky remains a place where hard work is rewarded, not penalized.

The future is bright for our Commonwealth. And as long as I have the privilege of serving, I will continue working to ensure that Kentucky families keep more of what they earn and that our state remains on a path toward lasting prosperity.

However, our work is far from done and we will convene the 2026 Regular Session on January 6. Want to follow along? The Legislative Research Commission (LRC) is the legislature’s administrative arm and maintains a helpful, information-packed website. It contains every bill and resolution, schedules, contact information, and information about the legislative process. For decades, Kentucky Educational Television (KET) has televised committee meetings and the work we do on the House Floor. In addition, the legislature now offers a YouTube channel and broadcasts live from all committees and the House and Senate. To access the KET and YouTube coverage, visit www.legislature.ky.gov and click on “Live Coverage.”

As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.